Rules of marriages and concept of `varna` were strictly rigid which can be easily made out from the Vedic verses. Families believed in a system in which one belongs to one`s father`s lineage and believed in having sons than daughters. Another rigidity was on the matter of status. Brahmins and Kshatriyas were considered higher than Dasyus and Vaisyas, though Brahmins believed and propagated extreme specialisation, they restricted social mobility in fields of science, war and harvests. On the other hand, Kshatriyas amassed wealth and believed in sacrifices. They mainly functioned law and order, maintained economy and society of tribes and presided over assembled court of intellectuals and warriors.

Family Life-Society during the Rigvedic time was patriarchal. The father was the head of the family and exercised control over it. There are mentions in Rigveda where the father punished members of the family for their misconducts. There is a citation where a father had blinded his son for his prodigality. However, relations among members of the family were largely amiable. The wife occupied a substantial position in the family and in her absence no religious ritual could be executed. Commonly monogamy was prevailing, but members of royal families could have more than one wife.

Food and Drink-The foodstuffs of Aryans consisted of milk and its products, wheat, barley, fruits and vegetables. They also ate the meat of ox, sheep and goat. Aryans also drank `Soma juice` and `Sura` (wine). `Soma juice` was also used in yajnas.

Dress and Ornaments-According to Dr. R. K. Mookerjee, the dress of the Aryans which were called ` Vasas` or `Vasana` or `Vastra`, comprised three parts- the under-garment called `nivi`, a garment, and an over-garment called `adhivasa`. The affluent wore garments embellished with gold. Both men and women donned ornaments. Ladies adorned themselves with armlets, anklets, necklaces etc. Combing and oiling of the hair were also prevalent.

Recreation-Chariot-racing, horse-racing, dicing, dancing and music were chosen means of diversion. A. L. Basham observes, "They loved music and played the flute and harp, with accompaniment of symbols and drums".

Caste System-There is a conflict of opinion among scholars whether caste system ever existed in Rigvedic India. The `Purusha Sukta` of Rigveda point outs four castes. The mantra which mentions this is as follows- "The Brahmans sprang from the head of Brahma, the Kashatriyas from his arms, then Vaishyas from his thighs and the Sudras from his feet".

The afore-mentioned mantra does not refer to castes as familial, but is based on the principle of `division of labour`. In addition, another reference from Rigveda points the absence of rigid Caste System during this period.

"In am a poet, my father is a physician, my mother grinds, corn on stone. Being engaged in different occupations, we seek wealth and happiness, as cows seek food in different pastures. May the bounties flow for our happiness, O God".

Prof. Max Muller says, "If then with all the documents before us we ask the question, does caste as we find it in Manu, and at the present day, from part of the most ancient religious teaching of the Vedas. We can answer with an emphatic `No`". As commented by R. C. Dutt, "We have not one single passage to show that the community was cut up into hereditary castes". Pannikar has rightly observed, "Though racialism remained in the form of doctrine of the Aryans, the initiation into the secrets and mysteries of the Vedic mantras, became the test of Dwija and the Non-dwija and in the course of time, the conception of Aryanhood became one of status and culture, rather than a varna or colour".

Position of Women-Women occupied a highly-regarded position in the early Vedic society. Adjacent with men, they participated in social and religious activities. The father arranged the marriage of his daughters but their approval was also taken into account. After marriage, they remained under the shelter of their husbands. Purdah system was wholly unknown. R. C. Majumdar remarks, "There is no evidence in the Rigveda of the seclusion of women, and the ladies trooped to the festal gathering". Women of the early Vedic period were exceedingly educated and genteel. Ghosh, the author of two hymns in Rigveda, Apala, who was well-versed in sacred texts and Visvavara were some of the most celebrated women of the Rigvedic Age.

Education-Education was bestowed in the Ashrams for the physical as well as spiritual growth of the students. But it. was chiefly by word of mouth. With regard to the aim of education, Dr. Radha Kumud Mookerjee observes, "The aim of education was achievement of the highest knowledge or mukti by a mind disciplined to concentrate on it in detachment from matter or objective world". Thus, education was dealt primarily as a course of life and growth of discipline and development of the mind as the tool of knowledge.